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Years-Long North State Drug Investigation Puts Another 8 Behind Bars, Moving Total To 27

Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force

Local officials said they’ve driven a stake through the heart of a local network of drug dealers, announcing the end of a multi-year investigation that led to 27 arrests and the seizure of a small mountain of methamphetamine and cocaine. 

According to yesterday’s announcement, another eight people were arrested Thursday as authorities raided locations in four counties. Six arrests were made in Yuba City, one in Live Oak and two in Modesto. Local and federal drug agents seized more than twenty pounds of meth and more than two pounds of cocaine, along with nearly $100,000 in cash.

The investigation began in October 2013. Nineteen arrests followed over the next two years. In those arrests local authorities backed by federal agents seized 25 firearms, 45 pounds of meth, half a pound of heroin and close to a quarter million dollars. About half of those arrests were in Oroville and a quarter in Gridley. Arrests were also made in Chico, Paradise, Durham and Magalia.

A detective closely involved in the operation declined to speculate as to the percentage of the county’s drug trade the syndicate provided. The detective spoke on condition that his identity not be revealed due to ongoing and future undercover work. He said the number of meth users in the county is in the thousands.

He said officials are doing what they can to prevent a new group from filling the void, but acknowledged that where there’s demand, people will emerge to provide the supply. He said he and his colleagues don’t worry about their job security.